Troops could lose thousands during shutdown

Housing benefits, hardship duty pay, promotions all at risk

(POLITICO) — Uniformed troops could still lose their special pay and some benefits during the government shutdown, even after the passage of last-minute legislation aimed at preserving their pay.

The bill signed into law late Monday by President Barack Obama allows Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to continue paying troops and some civilians and contractors through the shutdown. But troops’ base pay represents only part of their total compensation.

The rest comes in the form of housing benefits, which will continue, and now-suspended special pays and benefits that commanders use to keep troops in the force or entice them to specialize in high-demand areas. The potential absence of special pays during the shutdown, as well as a halt to promotions, could amount to thousands of dollars’ difference in a typical service member’s income.